Dry-brush Paint Technique

This chair has lived a hard life.  She’s been stuck in the basement for a year or so.  And it’s really not a basement, it’s kinda under the house.  Our back yard is slanted toward the lake and we have a garage door that opens to a damp, dark, crowded storage area.  Sounds perfect for a lonely chair to hang out, doesn’t it!?

I decided, actually Barry decided-hehehe, that it’s time for me to finish some projects.

Originally brown, as you imagined. I decided on a driftwood, dry-brushed  look for the chair.

Dry-brushed driftwood like finish…

Directions for Dry-brushing

1.  Choose your solid base color.

2.  Choose a color #2  for dry-brushing (I prefer colors that are close to the same shade)

3.  Wax with a white wax

Paint your piece let it dry completely.

For the second coat or the color you’re going to dry brush with, put a small amount on a paper plate.  Dip your brush in it to load.  Wipe your brush on a paper towel.  Lightly, drag your paint brush lightly over the solid color.  Just kissing your piece with the paint brush.

Let this dry completely.

I mix water with my color #2 to create a wash and go over the whole piece to marry the colors.  I apply it and wipe off.

I finished this piece with Miss Mustard Seed’s White Wax.

When everything was dry, I used a sanding block and lightly distressed.

I wanted it to look weathered.

She’s like a new woman now, sporting her new finish and her drop cloth covered cushions :)